Steinberg Nuendo 4 Manual

451
Synchronization
MIDI Timecode and 9 Pin Sync
In these modes, Nuendo is the slave and the timecode is 
sent by the MIDI Timecode Source specified in the corre-
sponding section.
Setting up Nuendo for external sync to timecode
1.In the Project Synchronization Setup dialog, set the 
Timecode Source to MIDI Timecode or one of the 9-Pin 
options.
2.For MIDI Timecode, use the MTC Input pop-up menu 
in the MIDI Timecode Settings section to select an input 
for the timecode.
Sync settings for MIDI Timecode....

452
Synchronization
The Sync indicator
On the Transport panel, you can check the status of in-
coming timecode by observing the sync indicator.
If you have selected MIDI Timecode as Timecode 
Source and MIDI Machine Control as Machine Control 
Option, the sync indicator switches between “Offline” (not 
waiting for sync), “Idle” (ready for sync but no signal is 
coming in), and “Lock xx” (where xx is indicating the frame 
rate of the incoming signal).
If you have selected one of the 9-pin options as Ma-...

453
Synchronization
Hardware and software requirements for APP
 Your computer audio hardware (in the example above, this 
would be an ADAT card in your computer) must support all 
the functionality required for the ASIO Positioning Protocol. 
That is, it must be able to read the digital audio and the corre-
sponding position information from the external device.
 There must be an ASIO 2.0 driver for the audio hardware.
 For resolving to external timecode, the audio hardware must 
have an integrated...

454
Synchronization
8.Start the tape (or video, or other master device) that 
contains the timecode. Nuendo starts playing when it re-
ceives timecode with a position “higher” than, or equal to, 
the project Start frame.
You can wind the device that sends the timecode to any 
position and start from there.
You should also take a look at the Timecode Preferences, 
see “Timecode Preferences” on page 454.
The Sync indicator
On the Transport panel you can check the status of in-
coming timecode by observing...

455
Synchronization
Sony 9-Pin
This is a standard protocol established by Sony, for con-
trolling audio and video tape transports. It is implemented 
via regular serial port communication (RS-422). The cor-
rect cabling varies between computer platforms and mod-
els. Please refer to “Connecting a Sony 9-pin compatible 
device” on page 456 to find out more about the correct 
setup for your computer.
 If your Sony 9-pin device supports RS-232, you need a “null 
modem cable”.
 The Sony 9-pin device most...

456
Synchronization
It is now possible to control the external tape recorder in-
dependently or together with Nuendo:
If you activate the Online button on the MMC Master 
panel you can use the transport buttons on the panel to 
control the transport of the device.
You can also use the buttons to the left on the MMC 
Master panel to arm tape tracks for recording.
The number of record arm buttons depends on the “Number of Audio 
Tracks” setting in the Master Machine Control Settings section of the 
Project...

457
Synchronization
External RS-232 to RS-422 converters are available from 
various manufacturers at your local dealer or can be pur-
chased via the internet. If you are planning to cover dis-
tances exceeding a few meters please make sure that this 
adapter also balances the signal.
Setting up Sony 9-Pin
1.Set up and test basic timecode synchronization, as de-
scribed earlier in this chapter.
2.Connect an unused serial port (COM port) on the 
computer to the external tape transport.
As mentioned...

458
Synchronization
11.Pull down the Devices menu and select “9-Pin Device 
1” or “9-Pin Device 2”.
The corresponding 9-Pin Device control panel appears. This has a sepa-
rate set of transport buttons, for controlling the transport in the 9-pin de-
vice. There’s also a separate Online button, above the transport controls.
The 9-pin control panel. Most professional video tape machines have 
four audio tracks and if they are digital, use a 48k sampling rate. Tracks 
1 and 2 are record enabled.
It’s now...

459
Synchronization
1.Open the Project Synchronization Setup dialog and 
select the 9-Pin device (1 or 2) in the Master Machine 
Control Device section.
2.Make sure the “Number of Audio Tracks” value is cor-
rect.
This should be set to the number of audio tracks in the 9-Pin device. The 
maximum number of audio tracks supported is 48.
ÖIf you have activated “Try to Recognize Device” and 
the 9-Pin Device model is known to Nuendo, the number 
of audio tracks is automatically set to the correct value....

460
Synchronization
Working with VST System Link
VST System Link is a network system for digital audio that 
allows you to have several computers working together in 
one large system. Unlike conventional networks it does 
not require Ethernet cards, hubs, or CAT-5 cables; in-
stead it uses the kind of digital audio hardware and cables 
you probably already possess in your studio.
VST System Link has been designed to be simple to set 
up and operate, yet give enormous flexibility and perfor-
mance gains...